Mainebiz Giving Guide

V O L . X X V I N O. X X I I G I V I N G G U I D E 2 0 2 0 – 2 0 2 1 14 After reassuring the nonprofits it sponsors that their funds were coming no matter what, Kennebunk Savings turned to other areas where it could have the greatest positive impact. HAVEN and Caring Unlimited, both domestic abuse organizations, were sent $5,000 each. "It helped them respond to their clients in a very quick, nimble and effective way," says Paige. e bank also looked at the tech- nology needs — and gaps — that nonprofits were dealing with. "We were very aware of how chal- lenging it was for them organization- ally," says Liz Torrance, community relations and social responsibility man- ager at Kennebunk Savings. is "new normal" requires a lot of technology and not all nonprofits had what was needed to continue serving clients. An important next step then, was making the space for nonprofits to continue delivering their services in a virtual way, says Torrance. Counsel- ing-intensive nonprofits were a focus for Kennebunk Savings. "We were able to facilitate these nonprofits getting virtual much like we did at the bank," says Paige. At the same time, Machias Savings launched the second and third phases of its Rapid Relief Fund grants. e second wave of grants had 56 applica- tions and 32 awards. e third focused on nonprofits serving Maine's small businesses and entrepreneurs, stated Cates. ere were 19 applications and 14 awards for this group. "All told, $300,000 has been dis- tributed to date," says Cates. ough the bank was queried by many out-of-state organizations due to the national press it received across the country, Cates stated that all dol- lars were kept in Maine. Additionally, the bank delegated approximately one-third of its work- force to create a new division to service and administer the demands for Pay- check Protection Program, says Cates. "We accepted customers and non- customers alike, from big to very, very small. Our teams literally worked 24/7," Cates says. Every applicant had a personal banker, Cates says, and a new section of the bank's website was dedicated strictly to ongoing education and clear direction for this new venture. Machias Savings secured 8% of Maine's entire PPP allotment, pri- marily for small-business owners, self- employed and entrepreneurs, Cates says. at translated to $160 million in funding for 2,230 businesses, saving almost 20,000 jobs. Looking forward One can't help but wonder, as Maine looks at a continually changing busi- ness landscape during the pandemic, if there are benefits to be found. "People have gotten to know each other better," Whitmore says. And while many miss the daily camaraderie found in the office, he believes that the bonds Harvard Pil- grim staff have built during this time are deeper than ever. It's also shown the team in large and small ways, what they are capable of. For example, a new sales- person started in April and no one on the team has yet met her in person. "Onboarding has certainly been harder," says Whitmore, "but many team members jumped right in to help." Paige says that Kennebunk Savings has always talked a lot about its culture and purpose. But COVID-19 helped the bank's employees to see that culture and purpose in action. "It's caused a lot of organizations to determine what's really important," says Paige. Silver linings in the pandemic have been numerous in the business world, Cates says, if one chooses to look for them. Learning to pivot successfully, seizing new opportunities, and the adoption of new work technologies have all benefited many organizations. "In thousands of organizations, including ours, this is leading to long- term adoption of new practices and protocols," says Cates. "Because they work better." Joy Choquette, Mainebiz corespondent, can be reached at editorial @ mainebiz.biz » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F K E N N E B U N K S AV I N G S B A N K Brad Paige of Kennebunk Savings Bank GIVING GUIDE

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